Caligula

Caligula (31 August 12-24 January 41) was Emperor of the Roman Empire from 37 to 41, succeeding Tiberius and preceding Claudius.

Biography
Caligula was the son of Germanicus, a prominent general of the Roman Empire who was adopted by Emperor Tiberius. Caligula's name is a nickname coming from the Latin diminutive meaning "little soldier's boot", a name given to him by Roman soldiers while he accompanied his father on campaign. In 19 his father died at Antioch and his mother Agrippina the Elder became entangled in a feud with Tiberius, who wiped out all of the family members except for Caligula. In 37 he succeeded his adoptive grandfather and granduncle as emperor on his death.

Caligula was highly unpopular, as he had incestuous affairs with his three sisters. In 38, when his sister Julia Drusilla died, he had her buried with a widower's honors and deified her as a representative of the goddess of love, Venus. He was also known to build lavish homes for himself, as well as for his attempts to increase the power of the emperor over the empire. Mauretania was conquered by the Romans in his rule, but he was not likely to have been involved with any military affairs.

In 41 AD, his unpopularity led to a plot by senators and the Praetorian Guard to assassinate him, with the senators hoping to restore the Roman Republic. Caligula was attacked by several attackers while he was addressing a troupe of young men who were doing games and dramatics held for the Divine Augustus, and although his Germanic Guard tried to rescue him, he was stabbed to death in a manner similar to Julius Caesar.